Control mechanism for compasses and calipers



4 Sheets-Sheet l G. V. NCLDE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR ACOMPASSEIS AND CALIPERS sept.18,1951

l Filed Feb. 24, 1945 Sept. 18, 1951 G. v. NoLDE 2,568,559

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR coMPAssEs AND CALIPERS Filed Feb. 24, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/'EN TOR.

Sept. 18, 1951 G. v. NOLDE CONTROL MECHANISM FOR coMPAssEs AND CALIPERS Q Mm. Cr@ m L@ w a@ J wm I SN Ml nl. l ,Emmi -i MS n@ 1 A@ m mdllrl-.WH um H w 1 smwmql &\ ww! .w Nm F .m mlhrmn L@ F INVENTOR. raz f 056'( BY Sept. 18, 1951 Filed Feb. 24, 1945 G. v. NoLDE 2,568,559 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR cOMPAssEs AND CALIPERs 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY Va@ Patented Sept. 18, 1951 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COMPASSES AND CALIPERS George V. N 01de, Berkeley, Calif. Application February 24, 1945, Serial No. 579,656 7 Claims. (Cl. 33-154) This invention is directed towards improvement of the mechanisms employed for adjustment of the opening of the Compasses, calipers, angle `measuring instruments and like implements and its main object is to provide a specically convenient mechanism operable for the rough and ne adjustment and reading of the angle and distance between two legs of a caliper, compass, or the like instruments. Other specic advantages of this mechanism are best understood from the following specification and drawings.

Figure 1 of the drawings presents an enlarged side View of one of the preferred forms of the mechanism. In Figure 1 a side plate 2 (Figures 2 and 3) is removed to show the general arrangement of the mechanism.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged top view of a section of the mechanism taken on the line II-II of the Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional view of the mechanism taken on line III- III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a drawing compass or a caliper in which the opening is controlled by the mechanism shown in sections on Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 5 shows another side view of the instrument shown in Figure 4.

Figures 6 to 11, inclusive, illustrate another embodiment of the same type of mechanism as shown in Figures 1 to 5.

Figure 6 shows a section along the lines VI--VI of Figure 8.

Figure 7 shows a top view of the parts illustrated by Figure 6 with .partial section along the line VII-VII in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows the side view of the parts shown on Figure 6 with certain parts broken away.

Figure 9 shows a side View similar to that shown on Figure 8 but with some more parts removed and broken away for clarity of the View.

Figure 10 shows a side View of a compass whose adjustment is performed by mechanism shown in Figures 6 to 9 in the large scale.

Figure 11 shows another side View of the instrument shown in Figure l0.

In both embodiments there are used some parts which are identical in function with each other, although having slightly different shape. Such equivalent parts are designated in Figures 6 to 11 by adding a numeral l in front of the number designating the equivalent part in Figures 1 to 5. For example in Figures 4, 5, l, 2,

The tooth rack serving the identical functions are designated by |23 and [23a in Figures 6 to 11. The compass legs 22 and 22a (Figs. 4, 5, 2) are denoted by |22 and |220. on Figures l0 and 1l. The same is true with respect to the leaf springs 2S (Figures 4, 5) and |26 (Figures 10, 11), and with many other parts referred to in the below presented description.

General operation of the instrument Arrangement of the mechanism as well as the general mode of operation aimed at in this invention may be understood by referring to the first one of its above mentioned two embodiments as follows:

The compass leg 22a (Figs. 4 and 5) has a tooth rack 23a fastened to it at 24a, and another compass leg 22 has a tooth rack 23 fastened to it at 24. Each rack passes through an opening in the opposite leg so that the rack 23a passes through the opening 25 (Figs. 2 and 5) in the leg 22 and the rack 23 through the opening 25a (Fig. 2) in the leg 22a. The `legs 22 and 22a are held together by a leaf spring 26 (Figs. 4 and 5) which presses with its ends upon the upper ends of the legs on the line slightly higher than the center of the pivot shaft 2l.

These latter parts (26 and 2l) cooperate in the well known manner in the art to urge the opening of the legs 22 and 22a.

The legs 22 and 22a in the herein presented preferred embodiment are restrained from opening by a mechanism contained between the plates 20 and 2| (Figs. 4, 1, 2, and 3). The user of such compass or caliper may increase the angle of opening of the legs 22 and 22a either by' rotation of the thumb wheel 28 which produces fine adjustment or by lifting upward the knobs 29, 30 (Figs. 4 and 5), which latter operation totally removes the above mentioned restraining action of the mechanism contained between the plates 20, 2| and thus permits the increase of the angle between the legs 22a and 22 to any desired amount.

To decrease the angle of opening between the legs 22 and 22a the user may merely pull the ends of these legs towards each other (against the force supplied by the leaf spring 2B), or if ne adjustment is desired the user may rotate the thumb wheel 28. If desired these rough and fine adjustments may be performed one after another or each adjustment may be repeated several times, and in general any sequence of fine and rough adjustments may be used.

'I'hus the instrument with its legs in any posiand 3, there are shown tooth racks 23 and 23a. 55 tion may be adjusted for increase or decrease of the angle between its legs by either iine movement by rotating the wheel 28 or by rough movement by simply pulling the legs together or permitting them to spread apart under the iniiuence of the spring 26, upon lifting of the knobs 29 and V30.

The mechanism contained between the plates 20 and 2| is so designed that under any manner of operation the thumb wheel 2,8. is always automaticallymaintained at exactly equal distance from each leg 22a and 22 irrespectively of the angle between them. That is to say the center line passing through the axisofwth/e stud 33V always passes through the center plane off theV wheel 28 and this center line always bisects exactly in half the angle of opening betweenl the legs 22 and 22a. Y

This feature makes it specificallyA convenient to make adjustment of the angle betweenv the legs 22 and 22a with one hand only; the'user wouldhold theinstrument at theV pivot 21 be.- tween the thumb Aand index nger while using the middle iingerfor rotating the wheel 28 or lifting the knobs 29, 3l) for rough adjustment.

Either ne or rough adjustment is available in this type of mechanism for any position of the legs 22 and 22a and no resetting or presetting of any parts is requiredat any time.

Details of the first embodiment The plates 2l) and 2| are fastened together at ar certain distance by useA of spacers 34, 35 35 and 31 (Figs. l, 2, and 3) of which the spacers 3 6 and 31 have holes through which their cor. responding rivets are passed, whereas the spacers 34 and 35 have themselves the tenons 3B, 33 of v which `the ends formlvthe rivet heads as shown on Figure 3.

Thearacks 23 and 23av are guided between the plates 2| and 2|] and protrusionsll and 4| off the spacers 34 and 35Yrespectivelyr.V The lower edgeV of the spacer 36 forms the upper guiding surface for both racks 23u and 23. When the compass legs 22 and 22a (Fig, 4) are moved to increasethe angle between each other, the rack 23 (Fig. l) moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A42 and the rack 23a moves thedirection shown provide the specially functioning Supportfor;

the mechanism` located between the plates V2|)i 'and- 2|. These gears 43 and 4,4 Vare p ivvoted,'for' rotationbetween said platesv 2Q and 2| and are nmesh with one anotherandwth maken, and; 2311. in a particular manner- The gear 43 has the teeth extended only over the part of its ,vvidt-h;`

namely, the edges 45 (Figs. 2 and 3) of each -tooth n theigear k4?. do not touch. therack: 23a.- The edgesh46 of theY gear 44likewise.are located ,tom

provide a clearance between themselves and the rack; 23.4 Theteethof thefsears.- i3-.and rhowf.

ever, arel wide enough to provide meshing betweemthese gears.

mes'hwith the rack 2 3 andv withrrthe gear 4.4;, while the latter gearY 44;is in meshwith .the ,rackV 23a.

Such arrangement ofA thegears.- i3-.and 4.4.. together. Withthe YSpacers,34.; 35;-` and 3 6, provides Thus the gear` train between the racks 2,3 and 23u consistslof; theqgear 43 with a compression spring tending4 to spread.

the support for the plates 2o and 2| which support does not allow the movement of the plates 20 and 2| along the racks 23 and 23a. Upon the attempt to pull thus mounted racks 23 and 23a, for example, leftward, both gears tend to roll over their respective racks in counterclockwise direction, whereas due to their meshing with each other they are prevented from that rolling, thus retaining the plates motionless.

Pulling of one rack, for example, the rack 23 relative to the plates 2B, 2| in the direction of the arrow 42 rotates the gear 43 counterclockwise whereby the gear 44 is rotated clockwise and moves the-rack23a in the direction of the arrow 42a by exactly the same amount relative to the platesljl,l 2|; as the rack 23 is pulled but in the opposite direction, In general by imparting to one of the `racks the movement in one direction relative to the plates 20, 2| the other rack is moved equal amount in the opposite direction due to the` abovedescribed action of the gear train 43, 4,4( Since at the. same time the gear train 43, 44 prevents movement of the platesl, 2| relative to both racks 23, 23a in any direction, the plates 2U, 2| are` always held vexactly in the center of the angle formed by the legs 22 and 22a.

The second gear train 41, 43, 5|] and 5| located between the plates 20 and 2| operates. ferimparting the controlled amount of motion tothe rack 23 relative to the plates 20, and 2|.

In this train the gear 5| (Figs. l and 2) has the teeth extended over a part of its width so that the tooth edges 52 (Fig. 2) on this gear just overlap the width of the rack-23. In the hub, of

the gear 5| there is bored. a hole and two pins 48..

and 49 (Fig. 1) arerslidably located in that hole apart these two pins.

Over these two pins4 is mounted a gear 41 which has ratchet teeth recesses 53, cut out from its bearing surface. The gear 41 is retained at equal distances from the plates 2|].and 2|` by the slot 54 in the spacer 36.

Vand 4) made in the plates 26 and 2|. The shaft The tooth wheel 41 forms a worm gear with the worm 55 which is integral with the shaft 56 'd and wheel 2 3. The lead angle of, the 'worm- 5,5 is

made small enough so that the worm gear 55, 41 is rendered irreversible, that is to say While the worm 55 can turn the wheel 47 in any direction, the application of` a torque to the wheel 41. cannot produce motion of the wheel41 andthe worm 55. v Y

rihe shaft 56 is journaled inthe bushing 51` in which it is retained during assembly by thering 58 placed in the groove 62 at the end of theshaft. Besides the groove 32 (Fig. l) the shaft 53. has a second groove 5S (Fig. 3) which is locatedopposite the holes S3 and 64.V in the bushing. The

pins @El and` {5|- (Fig. 3).,retain. the entireassern-v in Figure 1 by the leaf` spring t5V aiiixed in the spacer 31. The shaft 53 is retainedin-the worm gear engagement position VbyV the shaft 3| (Figi l) on the ends of which shaft the Aknobs. 29 and 35 (Figs. 4 and 5) are located. The shaft 3| may be moved in the L-shapedslots 32 (Figs. 1

3| in its middle is enlarged` tojassume the shape of a round cap ,3,|a surrounding the end o f the Y shaftV 56 (Fig. l). Thiscap 3| a may slide freely f5 between; theplates 20; andY 2 on the end; of. the

shaft 56. n the shaft 56 there is bored an axially located channel in which channel there is placed a spring 66 and this spring abuts the inner side of the cap 31a urging, thus, the assembly Sla, 3|, 29 and 3|) rightward (as seen on Figs. 1 and 4). By moving the shaft 3| leftward and up in the L-shaped slots 32 by means of knobs 29 and 38 the worm 55 is disengaged from the wheel 41.

It may be noted that the shaft 3| with the knobs 29 and 36, as well as the spring 66, may be removed at the option of the user whereby the spring 65 alone would hold the shaft 56 in the position of engagement of the worm gear 55, 41. In such a case to disengage the worm 55 from the wheels 41, the wheel 28 should be pulled upward (instead of moving the knobs 29, 30 leftward and up).

Since the spring 26 (Figs. 4 and 5) produces the force tending to move the rack 23 in the d irection of the arrow 42 (Fig. l) the gear 5| is urged to rotate in counterclockwise direction and is restrained from doing so by the abutment of the pins 48 and 49 against the edges of the recesses 58 in the bearing surface of the wheel 41. Rotating manually the wheel 28 to allow the gear 41 to rotate counterclockwise produces gradual increase of the angle between the compass legs 22 and 22a. Lifting the worm 55 away from the wheel 41 allows the unrestrained counterclookwise rotation of both Vgears 5| and 41 and thus produces instantaneous opening of the compass legs 22 and 22a to the abutment of the leg 22 with the pin 61a (Figs. 4 and 5) and of the leg 22a with the pin 61, which pins are ailixed at the ends of their corresponding racks 23a and 23.

Rotating the wheel 28 to produce the clockwise movement of the worm wheel 41 produces rotation (also clockwise) of the gear 5| due to abutment of the edges of the recesses 58 with pins 48 and 49. This clockwise rotation of the gear 5| moves the rack 23 realtively to the plates 20 and 2|, in the direction opposite to the arrow 42. This moves the rack 23a (due to the gear train 43, 44) in the opposite direction, thus decreasing gradually the angle between the compass legs 22 and 22a. If these legs 22 and 22a are manually pulled together, this produces clockwise motion of the gear 5| but since the worm wheel 41 is restrained from rotation by the worm 55, the pins 48 and 49 are cammed down by the inclined edges 68 of the recesses 5|] at the bearing surface of the wheel 41.

It must be noted that the edges opposite to the edges 68 in the recesses 5U are cut on straight radial direction, thus providing abutment for the pins 48 and 49; while the edges 68 do not provide abutment for the pins 48 and 49 but on the contrary cam them down in passage, thus allowing override of the gear 5| relatively to the gear 41 in clockwise direction.

It may be noted that the subassembly consisting of the parts 5I, 48, 48 and 41 represent an overriding unidirectional clutch and as such may be replaced with any equivalent structure of such yclutches known in the art. Wedged rollers or ball and spring devices for example may be used instead of the above described and shown on the drawing preferred structure of the ratchet clutch type.

It may be further noted, that unidirectional action of said clutch whereby overrunning is permitted only in one direction (clockwise rotation of the hub 5| relative to the wheel 41) may be replaced, if desired, by the overriding action in both directions. The pins 48 and 49 in such a case would have conical ends, both edges of the recesses 50 in the wheel 41 would then have the same incline as the edges 68, whereas the compression spring 53 in such a case would have to be made much stiffer so as to provide detent action between the pins 48, 48 and the wheel 41.

If such a modification should be chosen, then the clutch means 48, 49, 68, 41 would permit upon application of a large enough force to the legs 22 and 22a to pull them together as well as spread them apart without disengaging the worm 55 from the worm wheel 41. If the subassembly 5|, 48, 49, 41 would be modified in the above mentioned way, however, there would occur greater wear of parts and also greater forces would be needed for initiation of rough adjustment of the opening of the instrument.

On the wheel 28 there may be put divisions and figures to indicate the amount of angular opening produced by the rotation of the wheel 28.

For illustration of how the angular values may be read on the instrument some numerical dimensions of an instrument such as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 may be given.` It is to be understood, however, that such dimensions are given for illustration by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as proper dimensioning or shape of members would be well within the scope of work of those skillful in the art and desiring to follow the teachings herein presented.

Suppose that the distance from the center of the pivot 21 (Figs. 4 and 5) to the pitch line of the teeth of the racks 23, 23a is 1.9285 inches. The diametral pitch of the teeth on the racks 23, 23a and the wheels 43, 44, and 5| being about 56, these wheels having twelve teeth each. Suppose also that the wheel 41 has 20 teeth with diametral pitch being about 64. It may be further noted that arcuate racks 23 and 23a, if continued around the center of the pivot 21 (with above given pitch radius of 1.9285 and teeth or 56 diametral pitch) would form a ring gear having 216 teeth for 360 periphery.

One revolution of the wheel 28 (Figs. 4 and 5) in this case would advance the worm wheel 41 (Fig. 1) and consequently the wheel 5| (Fig. 2) by exactly 1/20 of the revolution and the rack 23 will be moved (relative to the center line through centers of the pivot 21 and the wheel 28) by of the revolution or by exactly one degree. This motion will be repeated in the opposite direction by the rack 23a, thus producing the change of angle between the legs 22 and 22a equal to exactly two degrees. With divisions placed on the periphery of the wheel 28 turning of that wheel one division past an index pointer (not shown on the drawing) will produce the change of the angle between the legs 22 and 22a equal to exactly one minute.

To establish any desired angle between the legs 22 and 22a they rst are moved to one of the "ten degrees divisions placed on the rack 23a (Fig. 4) in above explained rough adjustment manner, keeping the above mentioned index pointer for the wheel 28 against zero division on the periphery of the wheel 28. Then each revolution of the wheel 28 will be indicated by the two degrees division on the rack 23a (Fig. 4) and the intermediate values would be read from the periphery of the Wheel 28. It may be noted essere 7 that-lwith-fourrecesses159 `(Fig. l1) li-nlth'e wheel 41 the ro'u'gh adjustment s'tepsfwi-ll oorrespondl Ato the rotationof the wheeli41 by 11A fof `revolution or to 10F of 4angular change between 4thelegs--ZZ and 22a. i

Upon analysis fof the abo-ve described inventionit may be noted that the vIn'ech'anis'n-i supported between the plates 520 and2f| `would -functiondfor providing rough and-ne adjustmentof distance between the-middle .parts ofthe-legs 2.2 -fan'd22a (Fig. 4 )=1if fthe gear 43 (iF-ig. il) -wou-ldbe :removed initially and the wheel-44 would lbe vclamped to the plates 20,21 lto provide hooking action upon the -r'ack 23a. Y The wheel43 mesh'ed `as above-describedmay be considered as a fspecicimeans `rof aixing the support `plates 21|, l2i| to the leg-22d via the-'rack 23d andthe wheel-'44. Whereas the worm gear 55, 41-and-the Awheel 5| -mayibe considere'dras an adjustmentfmechanismproper for pulling 'therack23 towards -the leg-22a or 'allowing it to `be pulled `away -by the AactionLof the leaf spring `26.

Many valuable modifications of AthisStructure may -be arrived-atthroughfsimilar to the above given :observations upon the principle of this vinvention. One vof :such modications 4presen-ted immediately Vhereinafter .as Aia i second embodiment of this!invention-toiindicate the wayrforfurther improvements Yof such instruments.

Details of the second embd'iment In the second embodiment of .thiszinvention as illustrated Aby Figures=6 toll the parts are modified to allow for a more convenient shape of the instrument, smaller quantityiof components (yet achieving the same :general mode of operation as in the iirst embodiment). -And nally theV second .embodiment provides Vfor aibetter :lconvenience of reading of l-th'e approximate linear distance between thexpoints of thelegs |22 and |22a (Figs. l0 `and :11) rather than the angular position thereof :aslprovided in :the previously described embodiment.

In the below describe'dsecond embodiment the 11 'and`9) Ythe vblocks 1'2 'and 12a. To th'ebloc'k 12 'there is 'fastened the tooth 'rack |23 and to the Vblock 12a there is fastened the tooth 'rack |2'3a. The free end Aofthe rack '|23"s`lidesin`the upper recess of the block 12a 'and the' free end ofthe rack |2311 slides in the 'lower recess of Athe block 12 (Figs. 10, '11 and 9).

Between thesetwo 'racks `|23 'and -|23@ there Vis placedin mesh withthemb'oth aip'ini'on 135 (Figs. 6 and 9) which has a hub |5| in whi'chpin's |48 and |49 are placed. V(Over -theserpins is 'placed the worm wheel; |41, 'thelatter having recesses 50 (Fig. 6) around its bearing surface. Theserecesses |50 are similar'tothosedesignated'byithe numeral`50 on Fig. l 'and form, together with the pins |43 and |49, 'the unidirectional 4'overriding clutch unit permitting the hub |5| `to"r'o`tate freely inside of the wheel `|211 in counterclo'ckwis'e vdi-V rectionV and restraining 'the hub |5f| to rota'te separately (from the wheel |41 if the hub A15| "is urged by the racks A123,-12300'00 rotateclockwse.

The Yclockwise :and counterclockwise directions` are to Ibeconsidered lookingfat Figs.'8,'9 and 10.

VThe edges |52 of the teeth protruding from the hub 5| (whichteeth form the pinion 13') overlap thewidth of the vracks |23 and |23a as seen in Fig. '6 and th'esefedges abut the Wheel |`41 on one side.

The pinion 13 inV this embodiment togetherwith its hub |5| performs the function of both gear trains 43, 44 aswell as 5| of the previouslyT de-V scribed embodiment, namely:

The pivots |24 and |24a areplaced at the same distance from thepivo't Y 21; therefore upon opening orclosing of the compass legs l|22a and |22 the movement of each rack |23 and |23a being opposite in direction is'equal in amount. DueV to this fact the pinion 13|5I remains Valways in the position exactly midway between the two legs '|'22a-an'd 22, thus serving the purpose, which in the mechanism illustrated by Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is served by the -pinions 43 and 44, At the same time rotation ofthe pinion 13|5| (produced by rotating the wheel |41 due to the action of the hereinafter described means) results in the ac-V tion identical to that produced by the rotation of the gear 5| in Fig. 1, as previously described.

The pinion 13 (with the hub |5|) is journaled in two plates |20 and 12| (Figs. V6 toA 10). The plate |20 `has two ears .14V and 15 and the plate |-2| has two ears 19 and 11 of the identical shape (Figs. 11, 10, 6, '1 and 8'). These ears serve to support spacingblocks 18, 19,80 and 8 which are Y located on the round rivet-spacers 82 and 83.

At the upper ends the plates |20 and |-2| areV the line VI-VI on Fig, 8. The rivet 92 and the dowel pin 94 run through the bar 90 andthe rivet 93 and the dowel pin `95 run through the bar 9|.

Between the bars 90 and 9| is placed a leaf spring 95 (Figs. 6, 1.8) riveted to the plate |20 at 91. This leaf spring tends to straighten out and produces a'constant force-downwardsat the point 98 (Fig. 6) when the spring 96 -is in the position shown in Figure 6. Y

The ring V|28 has on its inner side the worm screw 4threads V| 55 .andzissupported-on .the points of the inner periphery of these threads which are seen on Fig.r6. The bearing points for the ring |28 are provided at 98 by the end Yof the spring 95, `by the surface of the rivet 82, by the upper edge of thezslot in the plate |20, by the upperredge of the .bar 99 ofthe upper spacer block, by the yedge -ofV the rack |23, by the edgeY of the slot-in lthe plate |2| and by the surface ofthe rivetv83. Ifthering |28 is pulled upward (Figs. 6 and 3) the spring 95 yields and the ring |28 assumes the position shown by the dotted lines -on Fig. 6.

-In the direction parallel to the racks |23 andV positions off'theiring. lIlhese''indicia-arelpointed off Aby fthe triangular shaped protrusion-s 200 jand' pitch of 0.2142 pitch diameter.

20| (Fig. 8) of the spacing blocks 18 and 19. If desired the same pointers may be also made on the blocks 80 and 8| (Fig. 7).

The screw threads |55 placed upon the inner periphery of the ring |28 are normally in mesh with the worm-wheel |41 with which it forms a worm gear. Rotating the ring |28 changes the distance between the legs |22 and |22ct in fine steps similar to the action of the wheel 28 and worm gear 55-41 (Fig. l) as described hereinbefore with reference to the rst embodiment. Pulling up of the ring |28 into position shown by the dotted lines (Fig. 6) disengages the worm in that figure.

threads I 55 from the worm wheel |41 and permits the legs |22 and |22a to open up under the inuence of the leaf spring |26 (Fig. 10)

By pulling the legs |22 and |2211 together there is brought into action the overrunning clutch composed of the pins |48, |49 and recesses |50 (Fig. 6) in the worm wheel |41, so that while the wheel |41 remains stationary the gear 13 with its hub is rotated counterclockwise between the racks |23 and |23a, thus allowing the rough adjustment of the compass legs opening.

It may be noted that the indicia placed upon the racks |23, |24 and the wheel |28 actually may represent with full precision only the distance between the pivots |24,.and |24a (Fig. 10). If, however, we allow a small error in reading, these indicia may be made to represent with close approximation the distance between the points of the end rods 202 and 20211 on the legs |22 and |22a. The error is due to the fact that it is desirable that the points of the rods 202 and 202m should be initially placed in contact with each other (as shown on Fig. whereas the centers of the pivots |24 and |24a are initially spread apart due to the necessity of placing the above described motion-controlling mechanism with the wheel |28 between these pivots. It may be seen by examining the geometry of this structure that full precision of reading would be attained only in case the point of the rod 202 would be bent out so as to have its tip always located on the prolongation of a center line connecting the centers of the pivots |24 and |21 and the point 2020i would be bent to be placed on the prolongation of a center line connecting the centers of the pivots |24a and |21.

The error of reading, however, with the following choice of proportions of the instrument is not great and the instrument of this type may be recommended for drafting use whereas for the caliper work there may be used auxiliary end rods 202 and 202a with points bent out to achieve the above explained condition.

If the distance A (Fig. 10) is made to be 1.1875 inches and the distance B is made to be 3.5 inches then motion of each rack by 0.0127 in opposite directions will spread the points 202 and 20211 apart from each other by 0.1000" (or rather very closely so). The movement of each rack by 0.0127" relative to the axis of the wheel 13|5| may be achieved by making the worm wheel |41 with 53 teeth and the pinion 13 with 12 teeth 56 With these dimensions one revolution of the wheel |28 would produce movement of the 1/53 of the pitch diameter periphery of the gear 13|5| thus adn vancing each rack by glX 0.2142 X 3.14=0.0127

It may be noted that some modiiications readily comprehended by those skilled in the art may be leasily introduced in the structure of this second embodiment of the instrument of this nature.

To increase rigidity of support of the plates |20 and |2| there may be fastened to each block 12 and 12a (Figs. 10, 11 and 9) an additional bar whose cross section and length would be identical with the racks |23 and |2311 as seen in Fig. 6. These additional bars would run parallel with the racks |23 and |23a (Fig. 6) and the cross sections of such additional bars would appear on Fig. 6

in mirror image with the racks I 23 and |23a relative to theaxis of the pins |48 and |49 as seen The bar 89 of the spacer block in such a case would be thinner in cross section and exactly alike to the bar 88, whereas in the bars 90 and 9| additional recesses would be provided in all identical with the recesses in the block 90 seen in Fig. 6, through which recesses runs the rack |23a.

The leaf spring 96 (Fig. 6) may be replaced by a rigid non-yielding member keeping the ring |28 always in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 6. `Such a rigid member 'may be slid upward under control of the turning motion from the rivet 82 which may be equipped with two or three pinion teeth engaging the member 96 as a rack (refer to Figs. 6 and '1). Such a modication would provide operation equivalent to the provision of a locking control similar to the knobs 29 in the previously described embodiment.

These and the like modiiications would undoubtedly be easily understood by those skilled in the art desiring to follow these teachings.

While the present invention,l as to its objects and advantages, has been described herein as car'- ried out in the speciiic embodiments thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereby but it is intended to cover the invention broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims..

I claim:

1. In an instrument of the class described, the combination of, two members mounted for movement relative to each other, and devices for controlling such movement including, a irst link connected to one of said members, aV second link connected to the other member, and a connection between said two links and effective to drive the two links in opposite directions, a manually operable control wheel mounted for rotation upon an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said two members, a worm fixed to said control wheel and operable thereby to drive said connection, with clutch means between said connection and said worm and effective in one direction of operation to transmit the drive from said worm to said connection and effective in the other direction of operation to permit movement of said connection while the worm remains stationary.

2. In an instrument of the class described, the combination of, two members mounted for move:- ment relative to each other, and devices for controlling such movement including, a iirst link connected to one of said members, a secondlink connected to the other member, and Va connection between said two links and effective to drive the two links in opposite directions, a manually operable control wheel mounted for rotation upon an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said two members, a worm xed to said control wheel and operable thereby to drive said connection, spring means for urging said worm into operative engagement with said connection and yieldable by manual pressure against the control wheel to disengage the worm from the connection to permit free movement of said members relative to each other, with clutch means between said l11 connection 'and 1 saidr worm and effective?A in one directionfot operationtotransmit the Vdrive from said worml to said connection and :effective ini the other direction -ofv operationT to .-permitfmovement ofrsaid` connectionwhile: the wormf remains stationary;

3;. In. aninstrument of the-class described; the combination of, two members mounted for movementrelativeto each other; andxdevices for. controlling such movement including; a rst link connectedto one-of said members, asecond link connected to theother member; and a connection betweensaidtwoflinks and effectiveto drive the two-linksI in oppositefdirections, a manually operable controlwheelmounted for rotation. upon an. axis paralleltou the direction-:of movement. of saidftwo members; aworm fixed to said control wheel. and operable thereby to drive said connection, spring means for urging saidworm into operativeengagement with said connection and yieldableA by manual pressureagainst the control Wheel to disengage theworm'from the connection, and= a second' springf means effective upon such disengagement to. causen said two members to moveawayfrom eachother, with clutch means between said connectionzand said wormand'effective-in one direction of operation to transmit the drivefrom saidworm-to Y said connection-'and effective in the-other direction'of operationto permit movement lof said 'connection while the worm remains-stationary:

4; In'aninstrument offthe classdescribed; the combinationL of; twofmembers mounted: for movementrelative to eachother, and:.devices forcontrolling such movement including, afirst link connected toone of.- Ysaid/membersfand a second link. connectedy to the. other member, gear teeth formedlon-each of said-links, a gear connection between said teeth andeffective uponzrotation of the gear connection to drive said two members in opposite directions, a wormgear Xed to said gear connection, a manually operable control wheel mounted, for rotation upon an axis parallel to the direction of movement of said two members, a Wormlscrew fixed to said' control wheeland operable thereby to* drive said worm gear, spring means for urging said worm screw into operativeengagement with the teeth of saidworm gear andyieldable by manual pressurev againstr said control' wheelto disengage saidworm screw from saidfworm gear to permit free movement of said members relative to each other, with clutch mea-nsL between said gear connection and said worm-gear a-nd eiective in one direction of operation to-t'ransmit the drive-from the worm gear tothe gear connection and effective in theother direction to permit rotation of said connection while said worm gear is stationary.

5. In' aninst'rument of the class described havingtwo legspivotally mounted at one end of each upo'n. a common'.r center, the combination of devicesfor controlling movement of the other end off each ljeg about the common center including, afiirstllinkconnected to one leg' intermediate its ends and a second` link connected to the other leg intermediate its ends, gear teeth formed on eacl'of said links' anda central. controlk member associated with said two links including a gear connection between said teeth and effective upon rotation of said gear connection to drive the two links and theirrelated legs in' opposite directions,.a worm gear Xed to said connection and a. manually operable. control wheel including a worm` screw for driving said'. worm. gear, with spring-means for urging saidworm screw into op- "l2 erative'engagement-with the teeth offsaidworm gear and yieldable byfma-nual? pressure against said control wheel to.'x disengage. the`V wormT screw from the worm gear Ato permit free. movement of said legs relativ-esto' each other, and clutch means between said connection and said worm gear and effective 'in` one direction of operation to` transmit the drive from' the worm gear to the connection'v and:` effective in the other` direction to permit rotation oithe connectionwhile theworm gear is stationary..

6. Ini an` instrument of, theclass described having two legs pivotally mountedfatnnefendfof each upon a common center,` thecombination of: devices for controlling movement of?` the other end of each ieg-.abouttthe.common center including; a rst link connected to. one leg'intermediate its ends and a second. link connected to the other leg`- intermediateits ends, gear teeth formed' on: each.- ofsaidV linksand a1 central controlv member associated with saidv twoy links including a gear connection between said teeth' and eiiective upon. rotation. off said; gear connection to drive the two links and their'related-legsin opposite directions, ar-wormfgearXed to said connection.v and aV manuallyv operable control wheel including a: wor-m screw. for.' driving said worm gear, spring.;` means for urging said worm screw intoroperative engagement withthe teethfof said worm gear and yielda-ble by manual pressure Y rotation. of the connection,whilefthe-.worm gear is (stationary. Y

7.. In an*V instrument ofthe class described, the combination of, two legs-pivotally mounted upon a common center, a rsttoothedr-ack, a second opposedv toothed; rack, and a pinion gear enmeshed' with the opposedY teeth of saidtwo racks, pivot members each` comprising a part of arespective one of said tworacks andV connected to said legs at points equal distances from saidcom.- monv center, said. pivotal membersV -beingeiective upon rotation. of: said: pinion to cause equal amountsv of movement of the legsf relative-toa iixed. datuinline, a'. supportV member carried by said pinion anddisposed at mutually equal distances fromsaid two f pivotalmembers;A bea-rings carried by said support member', a control wheel journaledin said bearings forV rotation around anaxis parallel tothe-direction of movement of saidtwo pivotal members, and a/worm gear carried by saidpinion, a wormv sorewxed to said control.y wheel, with a spring means for urging said worm screw.A intofoperative engagement with said wormv gear and-yieldable by manual pressure against saidk control wheeltot disengage said worm screw and worm gear; a secondi spring means eiective upon suclr disengagement to separateY said legs; andclutch". means between said pinion and said; worm gear and eiectivefin one direction of rotation of the l'atter'to-transmit the drive from said worm gear tosaidpinion and effective in the other direction to permit rotation of the pinion while said worm gearV is stationary.

GEORGE V. NOLDE.

Y (References` on. following page.)v

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Moon Sept. 7, 1858 Whiting 1 Apr. 30, 1867 Villa July 6, 1880 Getty et al Feb. 19. 1884 10 Terlin ---1 1 Sept. 10, 1901 Lackner ---1 May 15, 1917 Number Number Name Date Taylor Oct. 23, 1917 Walton May 13, 1919 Thompson Feb. 10. 1920 Gepack Nov. 8, 1921 Livingston Nov. 29, 1921 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 13, 1896 Switzerland Feb. 17, 1941 

